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As "American Idol's" ratings continue to freefall (Wednesday night, it hit a new series low), and controversial judge Nicki Minaj continues to bear most of the public blame, Nicki sadly isn't doing much to help "Idol's" tarnished tabloid image. On Thursday morning, Her Minajesty took to her very unfiltered Twitter page, and she often does, to reignite her feud with co-star Mariah Carey.

It wasn't pretty. Or professional.

Nicki was responding to a tweet posted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton, which read: "Mariah Carey BURNS Nicki Minaj On Idol For Lack Of #1 Songs!" Perez's tweet linked to an article that mentioned a snarky remark Mariah had made during Wednesday's "Idol" broadcast (when Mariah had pointed out "not everybody has" a number-one record, presumably comparing her Billboard chart track record to Nicki's).

It was a blatant baiting move on Perez's part--but unfortunately, Nicki took the bait. And that's putting it mildly. Nicki rapid-fired back at Perez, tweeting him: "What u SHOULD be doing (wit your messy a**) is asking why a woman SO successful at her age, is still so INSECURE, and bitter."

Ohnoshedidn't. But oh yes, she did. And there was more. Nicki then tweeted: "Bwaha! Burn? Shes sad i tied her record for Hot 100 entries in only 3 years of being in the game. Yep, a black female rapper."

And then Nicki wrapped up her latest epic Twitter rant with: "All dem #1s but JLo phone ringin?--referring to last week's rumors that "Idol" producers had attempted to bring back former judge Jennifer Lopez as Mariah's emergency mid-season replacement (and in the process, sort of confirming those rumors).

"I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that," Nicki said.

Nicki Minaj, if you're reading this--or if you're reading the tweet that will soon link to this article right here--please stop. Just stop. I've tried to defend you. When your haters said you didn't know what you were talking about, I raved about your candor and anointed you The New Simon Cowell. When your haters said you were the reason for "Idol's" ratings decline, I cited other reasons for the show's slump. When rumors circulated that you wouldn't be coming back for "Idol" Season 13, I helpfully recommended you for another reality-TV judging gig. But now you're making fat-shaming comments about Candice Glover and insulting one of the greatest pop divas of all time on Twitter--all within 24 hours. And that's not cool. There are only five more "Idol" Season 12 episodes left, and they may be your last. Please, don't let the season end this way--the ugly way in which it actually began.

Mariah Carey has yet to address Nicki's remarks, on Twitter or otherwise--but she is not blameless in this incident either, and tonight's "Idol" results show could be a doozy. Watch this space.